Campus Location: Canberra, Australia | Melbourne, Australia | Strathfield, Australia

Job No: APTAV102103#086

• Join a highly recognised national school as the Professor of Social Work to provide strategic, academic and research leadership and innovation
• ACU offers 17% employer superannuation, salary packaging and generous leave (such as carers, parental, moving house) provisions
• Full time, continuing role at our Canberra, Strathfield or Melbourne campus

About the role:

The Professor of Social Work will join a National Allied Health Leadership Team to guide the strategic direction of the discipline. This will be achieved by fostering a collaborative and high performing culture, strengthening partnerships with community organisations and government agencies, make advancements in contemporary and leading research endeavours, and instilling academic and professional leadership for excellence in teaching, research and practice education. Central responsibilities will include:

• The development, implementation and accreditation of national Social Work curricula and educational outcomes.
• Social Work programs meeting professional and educational standards, that reflect contemporary practice and support high quality learning outcomes for students.
• Showcase leadership in research that advances knowledge in the discipline, that also drives strong research agenda and initiatives, supports staff research capability, and permits high impact scholarship that shapes the field of Social Work.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean (Research) to develop an active research training environment to optimise and build a research culture and intellectual engagement.

About you:

You are a senior academic leader with a distinguished record of innovation and contribution in Social Work education, research and practice; and wish to make significant contribution to the governance and collegial life at ACU. You will need to demonstrate:

• A significant academic and research profile in higher education, in the field of Social Work.
• Extensive capability to think strategically with high-level communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong negotiating, stakeholder management skills and the business acumen to foster and lead innovative improvement ventures in the field of Social Work.
• Well-developed soft skills to nurture, mentor, coach, lead and empower individuals and teams in a changing environment so they reach their full potential and capability.

For full position details, refer to the position description.

Contact:

General enquiries can be sent to Professor Elspeth Froude, National Head of School, School of Allied Health at: [email protected]

What we offer:

• The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.
• Total remuneration valued to $260,037 total rem (pro rata) pa, including salary component $220,723 (pro rata) pa (Academic Level E), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
• 17% employer superannuation contributions to eligible continuing and fixed-term staff.
• Annual leave loading of an equivalent to 17.5% of four weeks' salary pro rata payable, dependent on your commencement date.
• As an ACU staff member, you will have access to generous benefits which include but not limited to: flexible work, study leave, a variety of leave provisions and salary packaging. Find out more information about the benefits or working at ACU here.

How to Apply:

Step 1: Review the Position Description and become familiar with Our Mission and the Application process

Step 2: Click the 'View Position Description and Apply' button, and populate your candidate application details, including your:

• Resume.
• Recommended responses to the Selection Criteria and Core Competencies in a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) or in the online Declaration and Criteria application page.
• Brief online responses to any pre-screening employment questions.

Applications close: 10-JUL-2026 at 11:59pm AUS Eastern Standard Time

Preferred candidates will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment declarations and background checks, including those related to gender-based violence and foreign interference, in line with ACU's compliance requirements.

This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and/or Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVP) (ACT only).

Candidates must hold Australian work rights to apply for this position. For permanent/ continuing roles, applicants must have permanent work rights. For further information visit Immigration and Citizenship(homeaffairs.gov.au)

Your Privacy of personal information is maintained in accordance with ACU policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

ACU is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and enables our people to reach their potential. This is underpinned by our mission and values, grounded in our respect for all people and the advancement of the common good. In line with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion we welcome candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences. ACU is recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter and veterans are encouraged to apply. ACU offers support for candidates that may require adjustments through the recruitment process. Please contact [email protected] to discuss your requirements in confidence.

About ACU:

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a publicly funded university whose teaching, research and service is shaped by the vision of flourishing lives, thriving communities, and a more ethical future for our world. ACU has more than 2,500 staff and 34,000 students across eight campuses - Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

ACU draws on the Catholic intellectual tradition which values human reason and welcomes everyone regardless of their faith, cultural tradition or circumstances. ACU invites all staff - both academic and professional - to embrace, and to support in ways meaningful to them, its mission to respect the dignity of every human person, to seek knowledge and to advance the common good.

ACU does not accept candidate applications submitted by external recruitment agencies through the ACU careers website.